Student Spotlight
Janpim Wolf, Undergraduate
Mismatched armchairs filled the room on the second floor of the ferry. After tucking my suitcase into a heap of luggage, I was startled by a stream of rapid Swahili puncturing the air. Three hours later my cousin, Dylan, and I joined a small group of volunteers from I-to-I, a volunteer program, at the dock waiting to be guided to our post in Stone Town, Zanzibar. I had signed up to explore the labyrinth of towering stonewalls and teach English for two weeks at a local school. Read more...
Student Profiles
Adah Kanter, Undergraduate
What made you decide to major in art education?
My whole life I have always been encouraged to create, so it seemed like a no-brainer to transfer this love and appreciation I have for art and creating onto others. My mom played the largest role in my decision to teach art. She allowed (and has continued to encourage) me and my siblings to act on our creative impulses. Without even knowing it, she has shown me, in my opinion, the best way to approach art with children. We were always going to art museums and galleries as children, we each had a sketchbook, and probably had more art supplies available to us than our school provided. My mom also never discouraged our ideas like I had experienced in school, where I was constantly “ corrected” for not “doing art right.” Aside from my mom, it was not until my middle and high school art teachers, Mrs. Van and Mrs. Bennett, that I had good experiences with art in a classroom. These two teachers left huge impressions on me and also helped me to consider art education as a way to give encouragement to young artists.
What has been one of your best experiences with the Department of Art Education?
My best experience would have to be the camaraderie within the Art Education department. I have always felt like I have had full support and honest opinions about lesson plans or my artwork from my peers here. Within the field of education there are so many opportunities for feeling unappreciated or exhausted from teaching, so having this camaraderie and these friendships with other Art Educators helps you focus on the times your efforts are appreciated by students and parents.
What role does your art making practice play in your teaching practice?
I am a firm believer in creating, so to be an art educator and not create myself never seemed to be an option to me. It is so important to create, explore, research, and investigate. By doing so, you will find more techniques and other artists to share with your students. Expanding your own knowledge and that of students at the same time makes discovering this knowledge and information so much more valuable and worthwhile.
What advice would you give to someone that wants to major in art education?
My advice would be to go out and experience the art culture that Richmond and VCU has to offer because there is so much here! First Fridays and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are two excellent examples of what Richmond has provided to us educators without even having us in mind. A second piece of advice would be to consider a double major or minor in another department within the School of the Arts. I personally am double majoring in Craft/Material Studies and it has enhanced my experience here at VCUarts more than I could have ever imagined. It was very important to me to continue to create while simultaneously learning how to teach young artists. It made sense to me that I should continue to experience the art-making process (so not to lose my own passion for creating) at the same time that I would be learning how to imprint upon young artists the necessity of having such a passion and eagerness to create.
Eleni Kanakis , Undergraduate
Why do you want to teach art?
My goal is to change someone’s life through art. Whether this is accomplished primarily through art production, art education, or a graduate degree in art therapy has been a difficult choice for me. My decision was made because I could always produce art, but it would be difficult to find an art teaching position without a license.
What has been one of your best experiences with the Department of Art Education?
My best experience within the Department of Art Education has been discovering not only a supportive staff, but also unwavering, supportive classmates. There is a great sense of community in this department.
What role does your art making practice play in your teaching practice?
An art teacher’s art is the foothold that keeps their practice in the classroom current and grounded. Artistic exploration will also keep an art teacher inspired.
What advice would you give to someone that wants to major in art education?
My advice would be to take care of yourself and your art. An art teacher’s job is to help countless students discover themselves and the world around them, and that makes it crucial that they do not forget themselves in the process.
If you are teaching in the schools through practicum and student teaching courses, how has your coursework prepared you for these experiences?
After foundation art education classes, I was confident in my ability to create age appropriate, comprehensive, and meaningful unit plans. Practicum and student teaching teaches you that even with a solid plan, a teacher will have to adjust it while teaching.
Matthew Ramirez , Undergraduate
What made you decide to major in art education?
I have always thought of being a teacher, and I have always been really involved in art. After AFO freshman year it finally hit me that I could combine the two and become an art teacher. Once I realized this, I promptly applied to the Art Education program and have not regretted my decision one bit.
What has been one of your best experiences with the Department of Art Education?
Mentoring at Carver Elementary was an eye opening experience. Just learning about how much the young students look up to you, really let me into the world of a teacher.
What role does your art making practice play in your teaching practice?
I definitely have to be familiar with almost all different art forms, so that I am able to show them to the students. I am glad to take a range of classes including sculpture and ceramics, because just knowing how to paint or draw is not going to cut it in this field. We have to learn as much about making each kind of art while we can in order to become a more complete teacher for the future.What advice would you give to someone that wants to major in art education?
Know your history!! Take as many art history classes as possible, each one will help you with references for your lesson plans. Also, satisfy your curiosities within the fields of art. If you think you might be interested in something, look into it and give it a try! You learn to teach from experience, not only from books and professors (even though they help a lot).
If you are teaching in the schools through practicum and student teaching courses, how has your coursework prepared you for these experiences?
My coursework has prepared me immensely for my practicum teaching. While making lesson plans and concept cards seemed tedious, they were actually a great help in the teaching I am doing now. Practicing writing lesson plans makes it easier to come up with new ones by solidifying ideas onto paper and then turning them into activities. Also, when you practice teaching lessons to your classmates, they can give you the feedback and critique you need as a beginning teacher.
